ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomBritish wedding favor ideas
Rebecca here....*using Wes' PC*....

Well, we did tea cups....LOL....I know how trite.....they were the demitasse variety...

We purchased little bottles of soap bubbles that look like champagne bottles, and put one of those in each cup. We had hershey's kisses in the cup too....I KNOW YOU BRITS HATE HERSHEYS BUT HEY THE WEDDING WAS IN AMERICA!!...and we had some foil wrapped chocolate coins that we laid on the saucer.

Everybody thought it was adorable.
robertwesleyMaleIreland2006-05-08 14:19:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy Graduates Thread

Quick question as ive just managed to get online for a few mins.

We are moving to Ohio already have an apartment and stuff but would it be possible for us to still file for AOS and EAD in WV or would we have to file it all in Ohio now ??

Thanks, Tom


Rebecca here. You file your AOS at the Chicago lockbox no matter where you live. In Ohio I think you will attend your interview at the Cleveland District office....I think....
robertwesleyMaleIreland2006-03-20 23:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhy so much?

AOS - $395
EAD - $180
AP - $170

Those are the present costs. They could increase slightly before you file.



Being with the one I love - priceless! (L) (L) (L)
robertwesleyMaleIreland2006-06-27 18:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHit the WEEEEEEED and go to your Visa interview...
Go away. You bother me.
robertwesleyMaleIreland2006-03-22 20:14:00
United KingdomNOA2!!!!!
Hi Liam, congrats on the NOA2 and as a fellow Northern Irishman I wish you both all the best of luck in the next steps..! I wouldn't fly Ryanair (at least for the return leg) as you will definitely need your passport. Check airline websites but I'm pretty sure Easyjet allow driving licence to travel.

For a bit of fun, check out the Youtube video: "flights for 50p" for a bit of craic on Ryanair...

Edited by Gloves, 24 January 2012 - 06:42 AM.

GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-01-24 06:41:00
United KingdomMedical Exam: London or Dublin?
So I figured it would be best to post my answer (after much research and communication with London Embassy) to help out any future Northern Irish hopefuls...!

I rang the London Embassy and discussed the following and the London replies:

1. Prospect of attending my medical in Dublin - No. As I have filed with the London embassy I must attend the medical for London and London only.
2. Prospect of scheduling my visa appointment first and then a medical - No. I MUST have my medical before my visa interview
3. Transferring my case to the Dublin Embassy - Yes. This is actually what they suggested although it would obviously cause further delays to the process if I transferred which I wasn't very keen on for obvious reasons!!

So, in effect, I made my bed so now I lie in it. I have scheduled a medical for next week and booked my flights across. Luckily, as Rebecca Jo said, Ryanair have just recently started a route from L'Derry to Stanstead which is really cheap so it only cost me £40 rtn which is great.

Thank you all again for all of your help and advice and I hope this post will help others in future.
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-04-12 17:48:00
United KingdomMedical Exam: London or Dublin?
Thank you all for the fantastic advice and help, it is greatly appreciated! I think I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and head to London twice. I'm going to ring the embassy like Nich Nick said and see if they will make an exception first of all. You never know..! In regards flights, thanks again for the information. The closing stages are on their way...
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-04-08 11:13:00
United KingdomMedical Exam: London or Dublin?
Hi there VJr's!

Well everything has been moving a lot faster since Carly and I received our NOA2. We have now received our packet 3 and I completed all forms and sent it off to London a few days ago. I was under the initial impression that I would receive an interview date first and then be able to schedule a medical before this in an attempt to make just one trip to London (I live in Northern Ireland). However, after much research on here I have discovered that I will only be given an interview date once I have completed a medical exam... argh!

So my question is as follows: Would it be possible for me to schedule a medical exam with the Dublin US Embassy approved medical doctor rather than Londons Knightbridge? This is a vain attempt to reduce further expenditure to an already depleted visa fund...!

I can't believe there isn't one approved doctor in each of the home nations ie Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England? Wouldn't this make more sense and save people so much hassle!!!!

Thanks in advance for all advice
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-04-06 13:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports5 months, no RFE, no NOA2
I wouldn't heed too much attention to the dates they provide you with. We are going through Vermont Service Centre and they told us 3 weeks ago they were processing 25th August 2011 and just today they told us they are at 21st August 2011....!!! Argh! I recommend the congressperson approach. We contacted our local congresswoman and she was very helpful. She put in an inquiry and then told us that if we haven't heard from USCIS by the 1st March (our 6 month since NOA1 date) that she would have it expedited. Whether this will actually happen of not is another question but it can't hurt to ask...
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-02-21 13:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2: Approved after 6 months...!!!
Well I just thought I would share an incredible moment that Carly and I experienced just a few short hours ago..

I rang her cell phone via skype just for a quick catch up on her day while she was on her break from work. She was very upset as she had just got off the phone from a tier 2 USCIS officer regarding our I-129F application. After 6 months of waiting he told her that it was going to take another 60 day period until we had a further answer/information on the status of our application.

As I was trying my best to keep her spirits up I received an e-mail on the computer WITH OUR APPROVAL!!!! So amazing to be able to share the surprise together, it truly was incredible. Needless to say there were a lot of tears and laughs and a feeling of complete and utter relief. For those of you out there approaching or past the 5/6/7 month mark.... I completely feel your pain and frustration. Seeing so many people who applied after us be approved was simply heart breaking. But there is an end and you will get there.

For people still waiting, keep pushing, I know how tough it gets, for those about to start, enjoy the journey and for those beyond us... good luck!

Thank you for all the support and advice VJ, I know we're still not quite there yet but it feels like the main fight is behind us! So happy.
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-03-05 18:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTurkish Airlines and Dulles as POE
Main thing to say about Istanbul airport is the free wi-fi which is very handy. I found it very easy to get through, well labelled, didn't have to wait too long at security, customs etc. Turkish airlines however... personally I wasn't a fan but as people have already said, they're very cheap and get you from point A to B...just! Enjoy the flight.
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-17 12:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPeace of Mind for K1 vs J1 adjustment of status
Thank you guys for the opinions and support. It really was a help coming back on and seeing all the replies and knowing that I'm not the only one struggling with this concept! I completely, absolutely and entirely agree about making the best of my time at home while I can. Who knows when I'll be back and I'll certainly miss the place and people when I'm gone! PS. loving the money in the bank analogy...so true ;)
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-02-20 17:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPeace of Mind for K1 vs J1 adjustment of status

You should have your girlfriend contact a U.S. Senator or Congressman. You're beyond the estimated time frame for approval now. Some petitions from November 2011 have been approved according to timelines on this website. It would be good to find out what's going on, or at the very least get something moving at this point.

Thanks for the advice Paul. We actually contacted her congresswoman last week and she was very helpful. After putting in a few inquiries at USCIS she told us that if we haven't heard from them by 1st March that our petition would be expediated guaranteed so at least we have a fall back date which is looking more and more like it will be 'the' date!
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-02-20 17:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPeace of Mind for K1 vs J1 adjustment of status
Hi there VJ!

Last Summer I proposed to my American girlfriend while I was working in the US on a J1 visa. At the same time, another couple who worked with us, also got engaged, he was from England and she was American. The two of us Brits talked over the different options of how best to immigrate to the US and live with our American fiancee's. He chose to stay in the US and adjust his J1 status (which he had planned before entering the states). I decided against and went for the K1 visa with the belief that doing it 'by the book' would be easier and faster in the long run. However I find myself after 5 months still waiting for my NOA2 and in the mean time my friend has changed his status and received his work permit in the post today........

As much as I am very happy for him I can't help but feel a little let down by the K1 process and I feel that if I was to go back and do it all over again I would choose to adjust status also. Can anyone please reassure me of the benefits of choosing the K1 over the other method? What are the advantages... I need my mind put at rest!

I know this raises the issue of intent to marry before entering but since my friend entered with intent to marry and stay, and was successful I can't help but feel discouraged... Reassurance is needed!

Thank you for your help in advance!
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-02-19 12:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow important is the Co-Sponsor over my fiancee sponsor?
I panicked and sent Nich-Nick (thank you very much) a PM as well as this post. You're right JoannaV, Nich-Nick said they aren't required for London but are needed later for AOS. Thank you again guys for the advice, bring on the interview!
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-14 09:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow important is the Co-Sponsor over my fiancee sponsor?
I am now ready for my interview on the 25th May and have already gathered all the necessary documents needed (I hope!). The only issue is that my fiancee has been struggling to obtain her tax transcripts. She has requested them weeks and weeks ago but they have not turned up which is disappoitning. She has sent over a letter from her employer (West Virginia University) a letter from her bank showing her good credit and her past 5 months pay stubs. She has been a student from 2006-2010 so we think this might be why there's a delay.

We are using her Dad as a co-sponsor and he more than meets the required poverty level income and has provided his past 3 years tax transcripts, letter from employer and bank statements/letters.

My question is, since our co-sponosr meets all the requirements, will Carly not having her tax transcripts be an issue or should we still push to obtain them..?

I guess the main crux of my question is, if our co-sponsor meets all the required standards is the original sponsor all that important?

Thanks in advance
GlovesMaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-14 08:12:00